Ways to Workout Between Classes

As college students we have a lot going on and it’s easy to get distracted by class, studying, homework, jobs and managing a social life. It’s no surprise that finding a time to set aside for hitting the gym can seem like a bigger hassle than it’s worth.

There’s a bunch of simple and quick workouts that can be done during breaks between classes, especially those awkward hour and a half long ones when you’re stuck on campus. If you have an hour or two to kill, why not burn some calories? Valley knows you’d end up spending your time on Facebook instead of studying during your break anyway.

Penn State Fitness Instructor and senior neuropsychology major, Libby D’Aguanno, chatted with Valley and offered some advice.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get in a workout if you’re like ‘Oh I have to shower but I only have two hours to go to the gym and go home,’” D’Aguanno says.

D’Aguanno recommends taking one of the smaller classes at the White Building, like butts and guts, which are usually on Mondays and Fridays. These classes are usually only about 40 minutes long and they focus on abs and squats. You even get some Pilates movements in the workout as well. Another quick option is the 20-minute washboard abs class.

“Buts and guts is quick, and it’s not the craziest workout if you don’t have too much time. If you’re not looking to get too sweaty that would be a good class,” D’Aguanno says.

Other great options for working out in between classes are Pilates and yoga, because D’Aguanno says they are better workout choices than you actually think. You’re targeting a lot of muscle areas, minus the sweat.

“Cardio alone doesn’t have to be the majority of your workouts so yoga and Pilates are some of the best ways to just take a few minutes for yourself and relax. You’ll really feel it a lot more in your muscles than you’d think,” she says.

There are yoga and Pilates classes at both Rec Hall and the White Building. Nighttime yoga is usually from 8-8:45 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and Pilates is basically spread throughout the schedule. The best part is that you don’t even need to worry about packing shoes, socks or a sports bra.

If the class schedule doesn’t seem to fit yours, a number of mat exercises can be done during any break, no matter how much time you have. Squeeze in 12 to 15 reps of exercises like overhead presses, ab crunches and dumbbell curls. Try to aim for two to three sets of each.

Even if you don’t have a fitness membership, that doesn’t mean that you can’t work out between classes. Instead of taking the bus, choose to bike or jog home. You can even get off your bus a couple of stops early or park your car farther away from class and take the long way. Even grab a friend during an hour break and go on a 30 minute jog. Use the other half of your break to shower, get ready and get to your next class.

Check out the Penn State Fitness classes here: http://www.athletics.psu.edu/fitness/schedule.html

Photo by Ashley Zucker